Alex Harris 00 - Armed

how you and Mrs. Scott got along?”
    “Very well. I liked her and found her very knowledgeable. I know William is going to miss her a great deal. I don’t know what the heck is going on around here, Alex. First Elvira and now stolen proposals. I don’t know if the two are related, but I hope you can find out.”
    I thanked Ron for his time and walked back to the office to get my things. He had been right—there had been no break-ins but someone managed to kill Mrs. Scott, and someone had managed to steal the proposal. This left me with only one conclusion—both had been inside jobs.
    I didn’t feel like going home to an empty house. I hadn’t thought about dating since my breakup with Peter, but sometimes the loneliness became palpable even if it had only been a few weeks. An acquaintance at my health club wanted me to check out Internet dating but my one foray into the world of cyber romance before I met Peter led me to a man who described himself as being ambitious, exciting, well-mannered, good looking, and a whole lot of fun. When he showed up thirty-five minutes late wearing plastic thong sandals, and told me he only went “dutch treat” I had promptly canceled my trial period on the service and never ventured out with another Internet date again. But on nights like this, I thought about giving it another try. Instead, I decided to make a quick drive by Always Prepared.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

    “What are you two still doing here?” I asked, as I took off my coat and hung it up on a hook by the front door.
    “We’ve been working on staffing the agency.” My sister raised her arms and stretched.
    “We shouldn’t be counting our chickens before they hatch.” Mr. Poupée’s words echoed in my head.
    “I know, but I really think we’ve got this deal sewn up and I wanted to get a jump on it. As soon as we get the okay, Mr. Brandon’s going to want people quickly.”
    I sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But don’t be too disappointed if we don’t get the contract.”
    I didn’t usually lean toward pessimism and Sam said so.
    “I know. KBO. KBO,” I chanted trying to inject more optimism into one of Winston’s mantras than I currently felt.
    “That’s right,” Sam said as she followed me into my office. “Keep boogying on.”
    “Not boogying. Buggering . Keep buggering on.” I sighed audibly. “I don’t see Winston as the boogying type,” I added, this time smiling.
    “Oh, I don’t know. I bet he and Clementine could really shake up old Number 10.”
    At the thought I burst into laughter. Too tired and stressed it was just one of those times where the thing you’re laughing at isn’t really funny but you can’t help yourself. Obviously Sam and Millie felt the same way because they looked at each other and then joined me in hysteria. “I must be really tired. I can just see him, all five foot nothing, pink flesh, rolling around break dancing!” I howled. Pink flesh. I stopped abruptly. “Oh, my God. Did you talk to Mom today?” I told Millie and Sam what had happened at the assisted living center.
    “I always loved Grandpa’s bowties,” Sam said longingly. “Which one did he have on?”
    “The Christmas one.”
    “With the tiny reindeer all over it? I loved that one!” Sam enthused.
    “Not on his…you know, you wouldn’t.” I grimaced. “There’s another thing. Grandpa’s not circumcised. That’s probably what caused this episode. They think he has a urinary tract infection from not cleaning himself properly.”
    Sam scrunched her face. “Jeez. Gross me out, why don’t ya. What happened to him?”
    “They’ll check him for the infection and treat it and he’ll be okay.” I frowned. “I don’t think I can handle seeing him like that again. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I can ever see him again.”
    “Want to order some Chinese food?” Millie asked. “Does anyone still feel like eating?”
    Sam waved her hand. “Oh, sure. By time the food gets here my stomach should be settled from this latest bit of gross information.” She slanted her eyes at me.
    “Why don’t you stay, too, Alex,” Millie added, today wearing a bright red Santa hat.
    At the mention of Chinese food, my mood brightened. Tired and stressed and famished. What a mess.
    “Sure, why not. I don’t feel like going home and cooking.”
    Millie got up to go place the order.
    “Why aren’t you home cooking dinner for your family?”
    “The kids are staying over at Mom and